Hot stuff on tour

Golf Digest, Sept, 2001

TaylorMade's 300 series drivers and Titleist's Pro V1 ball aren't the only products making a sudden impact on the pro tours this year. Among new products getting a lot of play are Adams' i-Wood, one of the most popular utility clubs on the senior circuit; the Driving Cavity 3-wood from newcomer Sonartec; the Speeder graphite shaft for woods from Japanese shaft giant Fujikura; and Titleist's 975J driver, used by Davis Love III, Sergio Garcia and Dottie Pepper in recent tour victories.

Titleist's Pro Titanium 975J driver ($540) is designed to provide optimal launch conditions by raising the launch angle and lowering the ball's spin rate. A thicker face wall in the center boosts strength and feel; a thinner wall around the perimeter increases rebound velocity. It has the pear-shaped profile and thru-bore shaft of the 975D, but a larger clubhead (312cc versus 260cc). The 975J comes in seven lofts (6.5 to 12.5 degrees). Phone 888-324-4766 or visit www.titleist.com.

Japan's No. 1 maker of graphite shafts, Fujikura, is making a strong showing on the PGA Tour this year, primed by the success of its Speeder shaft ($350) for drivers. Also in play are Fujikura's S.I.X. shaft ($350) and the Vista Pro ($105), which is proving most popular in fairway woods. Made in a range of weights and other specs, Fujikura shafts are available in the upgrade programs of most club companies as well as at selected custom clubmakers. For information, visit www.fujikuragolf.com, contact a local clubfitting shop, or phone 800-728-6420.

Adams' Tight Lies GT i-Wood ($149) is a stainless-steel hybrid club designed to provide the distance of a fairway wood with the control and accuracy of an iron. The i-Wood's center of gravity is lower and farther back than an iron's, which makes it easier to get the ball airborne and creates a higher trajectory. The i-Wood (18-, 21- and 24-degree lofts) features a shaft that combines steel with a graphite tip. For details, phone 800-709-6142 or view ww.adamsgolf.com.

The Sonartec Driving Cavity 3-wood ($265) was in 11 bags at the Canon Greater Hartford Open. The cavity is designed to reduce contact with the ground and move the center of gravity higher for a more boring trajectory. It also puts more weight in the heel and toe areas for added forgiveness. Available in a shallow-face, 140cc version (lofts of 13, 14 and 15 degrees) and a 160cc deep face (13 and 14 degrees). Phone 877-237-1190 or go to Sonartec.com.